Northwest Austin Veterinary Center

I’m not quite sure why this veterinary office has somewhat low ratings because I think it’s a fantastic place to take your pet. I’ve never had any difficulty making an appointment and all of their staff are very friendly and knowledgable.
I just had my cat’s front paws de-​clawed (please don’t scorn me!) and I was very pleased with the whole process. I dropped my fur baby off in the morning, they notified me when he went back for his surgery and that his anesthesia went well then called me when everything was done to let me know how things went. Definitely nice to have such thorough follow-​up throughout the day.
My cat was able to come home the very next day and his little paws looked great! He also was super affectionate and didn’t appear to be in any pain at all. I know this procedure can be a little pricey, but I think it’s well worth it to know that it’ll be done right and in a clean environment where there is less risk of infection.

I have never wrote a review before but I feel inclined to let others know to avoid going here. I have been a loyal customer at the northwest austin veterinary center but recently my dog has been going through some issues so I brought him in. The particular doctor I had (female) made me and my dog go through numerous tests to see what was wrong. I had begun to feel that i was just being taken advantage of since after rounds of examinations there was STILL no conclusive answer. Mind you I had already spent over $ 500 dollars. So I decided to go and find another vet for a second opinion.
Just as I had thought, the new vet I seeked after feeling taken advantage of, my dog did not need to even have the exams I already had taken him to receive not to mention 4 other 4 rounds of examinations my vet at the northwest austin veterinary center told me to do. It’s very upsetting to know that after all this time, I have been taking both my dogs here and to find out that I didn’t need to do half of the tests and checks up this particular doctor recommended (quite insistently).
I will say however that I cannot speak of the other vets here but overall this place overcharges compared to other (better) veterinary centers.
Really disappointed. Do yourself a favor for your pet, your time, and your money and go elsewhere.

I just moved to Austin a month ago, and needed an emergency appointment yesterday for my elderly dog. They got me right in, and the staff and Dr. Tinc were very kind and caring both with my dog and her frantic (read: scared sh*tless) mommy.

We’ve taken our cat and dogs here for years and have always received great attention. They’ve always been able to quickly diagnose the problem and provide the care they needed. When we had to put our cat down, they were very respectful of our wishes and handled it with care and sympathy.

We needed to board a cat for 24 hours due to a friend with allergies staying over. I was inquiring on conditions (as in does the cat need to be their patient) and the lady on the phone gave me an attitude and hung up on me. I will not be using their services after such rude service.

I love this clinic. I haven’t been there long, just two years, so I don’t know these other vets people have written about. But I am ecstatic about Dr Tinc! He is super knowledgeable, very compassionate, an all around fantastic vet. I am happy to recommend him and this clinic.

Upon Mia’s annual exam Dr. Boyd noticed 2 areas of concern in her abdominal area. The areas were too dense to do a «stick» test, so we scheduled Mia for surgery. They were tumors, one measuring a whopping 8 cm’s. Dr. Boyd removed both tumors with only one incision, nice work! They turned out to be malignant and Dr. Boyd caught these just in time to save her life or at least give her a fighting chance. Looks like he removed all the cancerous growth but we will need further monitoring (lymph nodes). She is feeling so much better now. Thanks for your great work Dr. Boyd & staff for taking care of our «Baby Girl». Dave & Betty

I’ve been going here for several years for my golden retriever. They are great. The vets are awesome and very attentive and knowledgable. I’ve been for checkups, issues, broken bone, you name it. I’ve always seen Dr. Boston or Dr. Boyd. Love them.

Exceptionally service and care! Dr. Walden and his staff really care about your pet and you. They have helped our dog recover from special surgey and always take great care when we board him.

I’ve been boarding my cranky, elderly diabetic cat here for about two years. I buy Scooter’s diabetic food, insulin, and syringes, here; board him anywhere from 20 – 40 days a year, and use the vet they provide. There have been ups and several downs.
Pros: there are two receptionists and one tech I deal with that seem kind and caring on good days. Ty (not sure if he’s still there) — I think he was some administrator (??) — was always pleasant and nice. The food and insulin seem cheaper than at other vet clinics. My cat can usually get his own little room at «The Katty Shack». It is a convenient location to my home.
Cons: all other people at this clinic have terrible attitudes and I actually wonder about retaliation sometimes when I leave if I ask for certain considerations for my cat. The vet — unremarkable. Can’t even remember a name or caring attitude. When I’m boarding an animal here this much, you’d assume they’d be attentive to his needs (being he gets insulin twice per day) — the last few times I’ve picked Scooter up from boarding, the floor of his room is soaked in urine, which, in turn, soaked the items I’ve brought for him (carrier, etc). They keep throwing out his expensive diabetic food daily, which makes me wonder if it hasn’t been soiled, as well. A tech (the nice one) followed me in there one day and said, «Wow. They didn’t clean very well today.» I’m pretty certain they hadn’t cleaned at ALL and the fact my cat’s carrier had to be burned due to becoming moldy from the waste and filth it had sat in… well, that’s a red flag that they may not be caring for him at all in my absence.
In short, it’s convenient to my home, but I’m looking for alternatives. I’ll drive several miles to ensure I’m not leaving my animals in an unhealthy environment.

Admittedly, Dr. Boyd is the only vet there we will let touch our Danes. We have had some run ins with other vets there that seriously displeased me. We also had a negative experience before our youngest Dane’s neutering. We thought we had made arrangements ahead of time at the previous visit in regards to IVs and blood screening. But the day of the surgery they asked again in a tone that made us very guilty for not doing the expensive extras. I felt like they played on our emotions to get extra money out of us. So why the four stars?
Dr. Boyd is absolutely fantastic with our Danes, Trooper and General Beauregard. He is thorough, we never feel rushed and he listens. I know there are charts with notes, but we made an unscheduled visit one morning and he was available. He remembered many details from previous visits and there was no time for him to study notes before the examination. I am not saying he has an eidetic memory, but remembering such details show how much he cares.
The interns or support staff during the examinations have been great as well. I wish I could remember names! I would highly recommend Dr. Boyd for your dog’s health care.

Nick (an earlier poster) hit this review on the head. STAY AWAY IF YOU LOVE YOUR DOG.
My boy Blue had had some horrific diarrhea for 3 days, and had finally stopped eating and drinking. I took him there because it was the nearest vet to me. There were two women working the front desk — don’t know their names. The brunette is pleasant: she seemed to care about her job. Unfortunately for this review, I’m not at this clinic for her.
Dr. Boston, the actual vet, was cold and distant. She actually seemed to not like touching dogs: no doggy sniff-​the-​hand intro, minimal stroking. (Dog owners know what I’m talking about — isn’t that a prerequisite for vets?) She diagnosed «colitis» (inflammation of the colon) and prescribed some antibiotics. Only thing is that an inflamed colon is a symptom — not the cause. But she’s convinced it’ll run its course in a few days. No worries. As an afterthought, she says she’ll run a fecal exam «just to be sure» — and that «no news is good news». When I dropped the fecal sample at the front desk, though, I left it with the second front desk woman: a heavyset young blond. And Word of God, I left the clinic wondering if it was even going to get analyzed: the blond acted about eight different kinds of lost, and uninterested in her job to boot. GREAT. I was so concerned, I actually called the clinic about an hour later to confirm that the test (which I’d paid for) had really been done. Again, I’m reminded that «no news is good news» — and that the results came back negative. No news is also «no exam done», though, as I found out later. After getting the All Clear from her, I hung up the phone — and Blue got worse that night.
I took Blue to the Lakeline Banfield the next morning, where they actually DID run the fecal exam — and they found an extensive (and relatively unique) worm problem from Blue’s lamentable deer-​poop habit. (I never said he was perfect — he’s just perfect for me. :D) They quickly put him on an IV for dehydration (Dr. Boston never offered), and gave him a more efficient antibiotic, together with deworm medicine. Blue walked out of there with his tail up and a spring in his step for the first time in days. In other words, they FOUND THE PROBLEM, AND HELPED MY DOG.
Dr. Agee was the doc who saw Blue at this Banfield. And she was on her hands and knees, examining Blue, comforting him — and winning my loyalty forever. It’s clear as day she loves her job, and does it well. They tend to rotate docs at the Petsmart Banfields, so call for her specifically. And if she’s there, feel free to throw some ‘bows to get to her, because she’s what a vet’s supposed to be.
As for Dr. Boston and (apparently) 50% of the front desk staff … just don’t do it. Your dog’s not disposable. Don’t go to people who’ll act like he is.

I love this vet clinic, specifically Dr. William Boyd and Dr. Richard Walden. They are thorough, compassionate and kind. These two Dr. s and their techs work very well with my dog and my (rather tempermental) cat. They never try to force additional services and they are good listeners when it comes to sharing your concerns for your pet (s). It is also usually easy to get in and find a time that works for you.

I was only staying in Austin temporarily for 3 months or so. I have a very old dog and just got a puppy so I needed all the standard vacs and such.
The front office people are… I’m usually not a loss for words, but it’s just odd. I guess they are efficient at swiping my card, although I would appreciate the itemized bill before I just pay but they just reach the hand out for money. None of them look at each other, or talk to each other. Rarely a smile. They aren’t rude or mean or obnoxious, but certainly not «pleasant or friendly». There are one or two that talk to you and look at you and help you out, so of course I am speaking generally. Am I wrong but I know they have a lot of work to do, (I work in a medical office) but is their main job not to be the «face» of the company? To act like your animal is simply the most amazing gorgeous fantastical animal to grace the planet? To at least say, «aww, isn’t he adorable» or «what a hansom guy»? The places that make you feel the safest and most comfortable are the places that know your animals names by heart, just like your own doctor.
THe building itself is amazing, they certainly found an amazing space. The furniture and waiting room are like a bed and breakfast, natural lighting from the windows and a spacious area make it so welcoming and not sterile and scary, more like a home, certainly makes my dogs more comfortable. The exam rooms are typical, and I was invited back to the back area to look at x-​rays it was a spacious quiet wonderful room where I assume procedures are done. No dogs were Unilocaling (pun intended) or screaming. Very clean space, surely one of the nicest vet offices I have been to.
I only saw Dr. Boyd, who is warm and friendly and thorough on my older dogs evaluation of his x-​rays but I didn’t think he was thorough in my puppy exam as he was asking questions as he walked out the door at the end. There has to be a standarized puppy eval that you have to do those first 72 hours for Breeders or rescues. I also am bothered that I showed up and paid a full office visit every 3 weeks for vaccinations but he didn’t check the temperature, heart and lungs or teeth or hips or anything really, just weighed him, gave the vac and I was out of there. I wish I could just buy the shot and do it myself but the STATE regulates so much of that and the vacs that you buy at the feed stores are not regulated and don’t always work. I give three stars mainly because the place was nice and Dr Boyd seems ok for the simple stuff.
I have been to worse vet’s absolutely, but these are my kids and I have to feel that I trust completely the person in charge of their health to give me as much information as possible before I make any decisions.
This place is good enough and their prices are cheaper than what I’m used to, but I’m not sure I would go here for bigger problems. =(

I have been taking my dogs and cats here since I got my first kitten 20 years ago and have had nothing but great experiences. 15 dogs and cats over the years — Pretty good track record! Our pets have seen Dr. Walden, Dr. Rafferty (who we were sad to see leave to open his own clinic) and, recently, Dr. Breaux. We’ve had everything from routine care (shots, exams, etc) to more complicated issues like our Boxer’s eye problems and a kitten’s blood transfusions due to feline leukemia and they’ve handled all of them with TLC. I had to bring my beloved 14 year old German Shepherd in at the end of his life and they could not have been more sympathetic and gentle, with him and with me. When I was ready to consider a new dog, I did my research and faxed over a list of breeds I was considering. The vets looked it over and sent me back their recommendations, including notes on each breed regarding temperament, potential health issues, etc. — FREE of charge! The front desk staff changes every once in a while but I’ve never been dissatisfied with them or found them to be rude. If you do have a concern, speak to Dr. Walden about it. He’s very responsive. The cost can be a little more than other vets but I have found it to be well worth it. In fact, my husband owned our Boxer before we were married and had been taking her to another (expensive) vet in Westlake. The vet had completely misdiagnosed her issues. I brought her to Dr. Walden and he reassessed her, changed her medication and she was better within days. Bring your furry family members to NWAVC — SO worth it! I love my pets and so do they!

We never really appreciated the high quality of service provided by the clinic, especially the front staff, until we moved and went to another vet’s office out of convenience. After the incompetent high schoolers at the other vet’s office botched up two separate visits, we returned to NWAVC and only then did we appreciate the quality of care.
Dr. Boston was wonderful, and yes, she does have a great bedside manner with our dogs.

I found Northwest Austin Vet to be way overpriced and I’ve saved a lot of money by switching to Dr. Wood at Balcones.

I have been taking my animals to the Northwest Austin Vet center since I have lived here. I have seen two vets at that location and I have been pleased every time we go there. Our first vet, Dr. Rafferty, moved down south near Circle C a few years ago. I was very sad to see him leave because he was gentle with our animals and always put them at ease. Of course he always told me how pretty my Taylor was, so of course I liked him! :o) Now we work with Dr. Walden, and we are happy with him. I can’t say my dogs love to get poked, prodded, stuck, and be violated in the pooper but I know they are in good hands for their yearly visits, dental visits, kennel stays, as well as any other time they need a vet.
After Dr. Rafferty left, we had one female vet that I really didn’t like. She had no bedside manner and was abrupt when you asked her questions. Thankfully she is no longer at the facility.
I usually don’t have any issues (besides getting stuck on hold) with getting an appointment within days of calling. Typically they are on time for their appointments. There have only been a couple of times over the past 8 years of going there where they were running behind.

Dr. Walden is truly exceptional. I now have 3 dogs and 1 cat that have had to be put down. Our beloved lab Beauregard left us this past Tuesday. He had two prior knee surgeries on his left hind leg. It held up for years but finally gave out. Beau was not himself. He was growling at our other dogs and became very possessive of his food, which he would not eat. Dr. Walden tried increasing the pain med he was already taking, and even added a synthetic narcotic. Unfortunately the additional meds didn’t help. Beau was still miserable and got to the point where he couldn’t even stand up without assistance. Even when he got to his feet he often fell down. It was heartbreaking to see considering this dog was once a champion frisbee catcher as well as a swimmer who never seemed to run out of energy.
Dr. Walden was very understanding and compassionate. We will have Beau’s ashes back in a couple days and we’re planning to scatter them in our back yard since that was Beau’s favorite place.
There is nothing harder than having to euthanize a beloved family pet, but sometimes it has to be done. Dr. Walden and his clinic are second to none. I can’t wait to see him with one of our other dogs so he can help keep our other guys happy and healthy, just like he did for 12yrs with Beau.

Could not be any worse! I’m not one inclined to give terrible reviews and am generally easy to please, but never has anything been more deserving of a 1
Our vet has the worst bedside manner I could imagine. Our 11 month old Corgi has never so much as made a growl at a person or shown any sign of aggression. He’s constantly around new people, dogs, and places, so he can handle adversity.
Visit #1 — heartworm checkup: The assistants hold him and he is fine and comfortable. The vet comes in and before petting the dog, introducing herself to him, she starts poking at swelling on his jaw. His initial reaction is not a bite or a growl, but just to jump and try to get away because some unknown person is jabbing at a hurt spot.
The vet reaction is to ask us if he’s attacked anyone and suggests puppy school (which he’s already been to). She mentions that we should socialize him. I should mention that she should learn how to approach a dog, but don’t. $ 130 later, we’re out the door with heartworm medication and unnecessary advice.
Visit #2 — Heartworm check and question about liquidey poo: Again, the assistants have no problem with handling the dog. Vet comes into the room and starts jabbing our dog in the stomach. He naturally squirms to get away as he’s had a stomach ache on and off for the past couple of days. We get another suggestion for puppy school (still already been) and questioned if he’s attacked anyone (still a ridiculous question and still no).
He has had a normal stomach ache which we just asked about, but didn’t request any special treatment other than the heartworm check. She suggests an x-​ray for back problems (we just took him to Auditorium shores the day before where he swam, jumped, and showed ABSOLUTELY no signs of pain). So we suggest against an x-​ray. Shortly after, she takes the dog to get an x-​ray after we had said he didn’t need one. X-​rays of course return with nothing shown. She says we should give him bland food (which we had been making ourselves before, and we walk out the door with over a $ 300 bill for what should have been a heartworm checkup.
Sorry for the rant, but I cannot express this enough… choose another vet. If their location is convenient and you still want to go to the clinic, try to stay away from Dr. Boston.